Balansa Clover
Trifolium michelianum
- aerial seeding, erect or semi-erect, much-branched plant
- self-seeding annual,
- a temperate legume which grows to over 80 cm tall but remains prostrate when grazed
- hollow, hairless stems
- three hairless trifoliate leaflets, of varying size, shape and leaf marking.
- leaflets are generally plain green while others have white to silver, pink or purple markings
- flowers in clusters head 2 - 3 cm in diameter, small white-pink flowers
- 3-4 Seeds in a Pod which shatter easily on maturity
- Used as a part of permanent pastures, or in hay mixtures or cover crops
- grows in temperate climates
- annual rainfall of 350 - 800 mm
- early flowering varieties like lower rainfall,
- later flowering varieties to higher rainfall areas,
- grows successfully under irrigation
pros
- produces a large number of seeds
- hard seeded in cool climates
- grow in a range of soil types, preferring soils of moderate to high fertility
- excellent waterlogging tolerance
- thrives in a wide range of soil types and pHs - adapted to acid and alkaline soils (pH 5.4 - 9.0) performs best where pH is below 8.3
- mild salinity tolerance
- self seeds well on suitable soils under appropriate grazing management
- good frost tolerance.
cons
- Not suited to deep sandy soils
- intolerant of moderate to high soil salinity
- Slow establishment if sown under cold conditions